9K54 Grad-V
NATO: M1975 | BM-21V
Overview
9K54 Grad-V
9P125 launch vehicle of the Grad-V artillery rocket system on display in a museum.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin -
© GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Soviet Union - NPO Splav (rocket design)
Russian for "airborne"
M1975 (NATO reporting name)
9K54 (GRAU index for system)
9P125 (GRAU index for launch vehicle)
9F37V (GRAU index for transloader)
Description
Introduction
The 9K54 Grad-V is a Cold War era multiple rocket launcher of Soviet origin. It was developed as an airmobile system for the Soviet VDV air assault units. The Grad-V is also known as the BM-21V. It sacrifices firepower for increased mobility.
Design
The Grad-V is a downsized version of the BM-21 Grad. It was built within the weight and size limitations of the MKS5-128M parachute system. The launch vehicle is based on the GAZ-66 light truck modified with folding canvas roof cabin and night vision system. The 12-tube launcher is mounted on a turntable at the rear.
Firepower
The Grad-V uses the 9M28 series of 122mm artillery rockets. This is a shorter variant of the 9M22 series of rockets in the full size Grad. Effective range varies per type of warhead. For the commonly used HE-fragmentation rocket the maximum range is 15 km and minimum range if 4 km. All 12 artillery rockets can be volley fired in 6 seconds. Compared to the full size BM-21 Grad the firepower is reduced significantly. However, when compared to the older towed RPU-12 both range and warhead size are 1.5 times higher.
Mobility
Strategic mobility is the core aspect of the Grad-V. Transport aircraft can airdrop the Grad-V using pallets equipped with parachutes. The launch vehicle and transloader are based on the GAZ-66 4x4 light truck. These vehicles have a decent off road mobility and a good road speed.
Protection
The Grad-V is a system based on softskin vehicles. These offer no ballistic protection. Compared to the older towed RPU-14 battlefield survivability is improved by being able to quickly relocate after firing.
Users
The Grad-V was adopted by the airborne forces of the Soviet Union. After the dissolution of the USSR remaining systems ended up in Russia, Belarus and the Ukraine. The sole export customer seems to have been Iraq.
System composition
9P125
9P125 is the GRAU index for launch vehicle. It is based on the GAZ-66 light truck. The 12-tube launcher is mounted on a turntable and is fitted with an indirect fire sight. Two jacks provide a stable launch platform.
9F37V
9F37V is the GRAU index for transloader. It is also based on the GAZ-66 light truck. It features a flatbed cargo area with drop sides and tarpaulin cover. Racks for 122mm rockets are fitted at the rear. The 9F37V has the same foldable cabin with tarpaulin cover and night vision for the driver.
9M28
The Grad-V system uses the shorter range 9M28 series of artillery rockets. These include the 9M28 HE-Fragmentation and 9M28K with anti-tank mines.
Details
Media
9K54 Grad-V
9P125 launch vehicle of the Grad-V artillery rocket system on display in a museum.
Source: www.zonwar.ru
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
9K54 Grad-V
Several components of the Grad-V artillery rocket system ready for parachute drop.
Source: S.V. Gurov
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
9K54 Grad-V
9P125 launch vehicle of the Grad-V artillery rocket system ready for parachute drop.
Source: S.V. Gurov
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
BM-21 Grad
The Grad-V is a lightweight airmobile variant of the Grad multiple rocket launcher system.
9K55 Grad-1
The 9K55 Grad-1 uses the same shorter range 9M28 series of artillery rockets as developed for the the Grad-V.